I posted this over on the CT sub-forum, and since our cars share the same steering wheels, thought you guys might want to try this. Copy-pasta:

Finally fixed my steering wheel trim squeak which I previously mis-diagnosed as a defective clock spring. I used automotive-grade insulating tape around key areas of the trim. Worked like a charm. While I was at it, I experimented vinyl-wrapping. At first I tried a two-piece solution but it looked like crap. So I took a chance and went one piece. To my surprise, one piece worked, but was very difficult given the contours and edges. I did my best to make sure it doesn't peel, it's heat-treated and shrunk around the edges. But no biggy if it does peel, I'll just paint it.

Also to my surprise, no shenanigans required. Air bag pull (and move) was easy, no need to disconnect airbag or battery. To remove airbag, pop both plastic trim pieces where the cruise control is and opposite that, they remove w/ fingers. Then use your flat blade screw driver to gently push metal prongs out of the way (they're shiny and silver like chrome) and the airbag pops out half an inch or so. There's two prongs on the right side and one prong on the left side i believe. Then just gently move it to the top of the steering wheel with wires connected and let it rest as you work on the trim. A few screws hold the trim to the steering wheel, easily accessible from the front. Once the screws are removed, there's two wiring harnesses that attach to the trim, you have to cut two small zip ties and un-route the wire harnesses from both the wheel and the trim. Then once the trim is free, 6 more screws hold the electronic controls to the trim, then you can do as you please with the trim.

Wrapping the trim with one piece was hard and does take experience. But film is cheap so give it a shot. I used the new trim by Vvivid which is their newest technology. I've never seen vinyl so paint like.

Oh and one tip... when you re attach the airbag by pressing it into the steering wheel, the horn would honk. It requires some firm presses, so I looked for a horn fuse... nada. The horn fuse is blank (common head-scratcher on prius forums too) and since the battery is buried deep, i didn't want to deal with it, I tried, then saw how deep the battery is and how hidden the wires are. Doable but didn't want to tear apart everything and cut up my hands. Plus i have amp wiring down there and stuff.

Easy solution? Open the hood, pull the front plastic upper tray off by using your fingers, then simply reach down and unplug both horns. Voila.

Tools needed:
fingers (preferably yours)
flat-blade screwdriver
normal size philips screwdriver
smaller philips (electronics repair type) screwdriver

optional:
insulating tape to wrap around the plastic prongs of the trim that insert into the steering wheel
vinyl wrap
heat gun (a must if you one piece wrap)
purpose precision cutting tool


Note airbag still plugged in. Just be careful and gentle while working. If you're not experienced or don't feel safe, don't do it.

If you want to disconnect the 12V battery, knock yourself out (the safe way). The trim comes out easily without having to remove the steering wheel.

(Note: on the 3IS, the 12V is very easy to disconnect when you open the hood) so your options for horn disabling/air bag disabling are a lot easier.)







After removing the radio controls on both sides (3 screws each side), you'll need a jewelers or electronic screwdriver kit.


Look ma, no boring gray plastic

 

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

 

Glad I found this. I saw that I have a small scratch on my CT200h's steering wheel trim piece. And buying a new trim piece (OEM) has no part number so I was going to wrap it in the same ebony wood grain that I used for other pieces on the car.

I also got a leather airbag cover so figured I'd do it all at once.

One question, the two little bits at the very top. Did you use one single piece throughout the trim, or did you do the main bottom piece and then use two separate smaller pieces for the two ends at the top/?

Also is there a point to wrapping the parts that are completely covered by the steering wheel controls? I've indicated in this picture. Red circles would be the wrapped pieces (3) and then the green X's would be where there would be no need to wrap anything.




Thanks,
-Nigel

 

So this took a couple hours and the top two pieces that I have circled in the previous post were such a pain in the *** to wrap..smh

I can't tell if I like the left side plastic switches or if the wrapped right side switches is too much.... Opinions?







-Nigel

 

A bit too much for me. And holy crap, your work area is way too neat, you don’t have enough tools! I’ve got drawers and drawers piled full of tools, no way I could hang ‘em all up on display!

 

This is my modding room so more precise stuff is here, that's why it's clean. Actually the way it is now it's not clean at all. there's too much crap on the work benches. But I have like 3 projects going on now with leds and other various stuff..etc.. Soldering stations/3d printer..etc. The stuff on the peg board (I'll take pictures when I get home) is what I use most often. I have multiple cabinets below with tools and a tool chest in the closet that's out of sight, but the work bench is shaped like an L. Don't get me started on what I have in the garage, including a lift and tools..lol. Any time I can buy a new tool I do.

I had a spare piece from cutting the main vinyl so that's why I tried the trim piece on the right. It would look better too if it wasn't textured. I'm wondering if I could even try brushed aluminum but then it might be too many textures..lol. Easy enough to peel off and keep going.




-Nigel

 

Oh gawd, now I’m jealous!